The paper presents research on what it takes to become successful in today's music industry. The focus of the study will be on the need for a musical instrument as a factor contributing to success in today’s music industry. Music has existed from the start of mankind thus is a crucial part of every culture as well as generation. Humanity has achieved numerous technological advancements and with this has revolutionized the way music is not only developed (created) but also distributed to reach its intended audiences. Although technological advancements have transformed the music industry particularly in the recent decades, a majority of the musicians never become successful in the industry due to them making the wrong assumptions regarding what will lead to them achieving success. The result is that many spend their time as well as energy doing things that make them unable to achieve their goals.
Chapter One: Introduction
Music is a crucial part of almost every culture as well as generation (Aguiar, & Martens, 2016, p. 28). The 21st century is characterized as the most amazing as well as the creative period that has ever existed for music. The reason is this generation became the first to see the dramatic evolution of the music business as well as the techniques that made music more enjoyable (Aguiar, & Martens, 2016, p.30). An example that illustrates this is Napster’s rise and fall. The result of this led to the realization that music could be stored on a computer without purchasing anything from the store. The technological enablement led to the end of music stores that had long controlled the enterprise of running retail music stores (Haynes, & Marshall, 2018, p.470).
Additionally, technological advancement has also resulted in open accesses to the dominated industry by record companies and labels as it created online music applications (Wikström, 2013, p.14). The sites also led to the emergence of radio stations as well as opened avenues for different marketing genres of music. Additionally, in recent years, technology has led to the development of Spotify which has offered access to artists albums for commercial uses and other avenues such as YouTube which enables access to music videos.
Technology has also created social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter which have become advertisement avenues where the music lovers share about their various music tastes (Haynes, & Marshall, 2018, p 474). In summary, technology has dramatically transformed the music business as well as music methods. However, although there are numerous positive outcomes from the incorporation of technology in the music industry, there are also some drawbacks. One such disadvantage is on music education which is gradually losing its glory all around the world (Green, 2017, p.12). In spite of its enormous contribution to the music industry and economic sectors, the government remains placid on its importance in schools. Research studies have shown the significant benefits of music education in impacting the happiness, intellectual growth and psychological development of the students, little incentives remain to push students into embracing the arts (Green, 2017, p. 12). Hence, music education has now become harder to access and those who manage to take the subject merely acquire theoretical knowledge at the expense of practical experience that comes at the cost of playing musical instruments. For a creative subject, the use of theoretical knowledge, significantly, downgrades the importance of musical instruments. Even worse, most of the pop and rap artists today barely studied music and can hardly play any musical instrument, yet they command such a high influence in the society (Haynes & Marshall, 2018, p.460). Such scenarios reinforce the notion that one does not need to know how to play a musical instrument to become successful in the industry while drawing attention to the shift in the music industry from its aesthetic self-expression to a money-making enterprise.
Problem Statement
The advancement in technology has transformed both the music business as well as methods employed by artists. However, although technological advancements have revolutionized the music industry particularly in the recent decades, a majority of the musicians never become successful in the industry due to them making the wrong assumptions regarding what will lead to them achieving success. One such assumption is the need to use musical instruments in the music industry to become successful in the industry (Kratus 2017, p.34). The result is that many spend their time as well as energy doing things that make them unable to achieve their goals. The focus of the research is to evaluate whether knowledge of playing musical instruments play a role in the artist's success in today's music industry. Therefore, the study will assess the importance as well as the effectiveness of the use of musical instruments in the music industry. The study will also assess the use of computer technologies and its impact in today' music industry by comparing music in the 21st century with that of the previous decades where computer technologies hadn’t been incorporated in music making.
Research Questions
The following questions guided the study:
Are musical instruments phasing out from today’s music industry?
What is the impact of musical instruments on the music industry?
How is the computer technology affecting the modern music industry today?
Objectives of the Study
The research objectives are categorized into two namely; primary and secondary goals
Primary Objective
To evaluate the need for musical instruments to be successful in the music industry today
Secondary Objectives
1. To identify the role of the musical instruments in the music industry.
2. To determine the impact of technologies in today’s music industry.
Rationale and Significance of the Study
Previous studies have explored the impact of musical instruments in the industry by capitalizing on how the instruments have enhanced the quality, effectiveness, and sound of music (Burgess, 2015, p.150). Nevertheless, there has been limited research and discussions on the incorporation of music instruments in the modern music industry. The limited research leads to the development of a question regarding the need to use musical instruments in today’s music industry. (Burnard, 2016, p.31). Kratus argues that the internet has completely changed the music industry for the worse. (Kratus 2017, p.34). The purpose of the study is to evaluate the need for musical instruments in today's music industry due to the widespread incorporation of technology in music production. The results of the study are intended to illustrate how technology has impacted the music industry as well as and to shed light on the role of musical instruments in the industry.
Research Aim
The study aims to analyze whether, in the modern technological age and music industry, incorporation of music instruments influences success in the music industry. Additionally, the study aims to look at how the music industry today, has been affected by the shift from the once glorified music instruments to the reliance of the computers for the creation of sounds and beats. On the same, note features such as voice auto-tuning which have been made possible by the internet will be analyzed as a critical factor that has drawn most young people to the music industry, while downplaying the role of musical instruments.
Structure Outline
The study will be divided into five chapters: First is the introduction chapter which will present the research topic. The section will entail the statement of the problem as well as the research questions that will guide the study. Also, the introduction chapter also outlines the significance of the problem, the objectives of the research and the aims that the survey will meet.
The second chapter of the paper entails the literature review. The section will involve the various concepts being studies such as the role of technology in today's music industry the contribution of the musical instruments in the music industry and the importance of musical instruments in the music production. It will include, the positive and negative effects of the internet on the music industry, the significance of musical instruments as well as the contribution of musical instruments to the music industry. The third chapter of the paper encompasses the research methodology section. The methodology section will present the purpose of the primary research to be carried out, the methods used and the technique to be employed. The primary research methods will be evaluated based on their suitability and drawbacks. The data analysis methods will also be considered.
The fourth section of the research paper entails the results and discussion chapter. In this section, data from the research methodology section will be evaluated and analyzed. The findings of the research will also be presented. The last part of the paper is the conclusion. The conclusion section will summarize the key results presented throughout the dissertation. Furthermore, the concluding chapter will also outline the limitations of the study as well as its theoretical contributions.
Chapter Two: Literature Review
A literature review is crucial for every research. The section presents the various concepts that are being evaluated regarding music instruments and music success. Therefore, the chapter will discuss the importance of musical instruments in the music industry, the impact of technology in the music industry and the contribution of music instruments in success in the music business.
Importance and Contribution of the Musical Instruments in the Music Industry
A music instrument is defined as the tool that is used to make musical sounds. Therefore, it can be argued all devices that produce sound are classified as a musical instrument (Sachs, 2012). The origins of musical instruments can be traced back to the beginning of the human culture. History indicates that musical instruments were used for various purposes such as rituals (trumpet), religious and transitioned for entertainment purposes (Sachs, 2012). Majority of the early musical instruments were made from wood, bone, skins among other materials.
Musical instruments also developed independently, and their spread is attributed to civilizations contact. Musical instruments have been used to produce music in all periods of human society thus are regarded as a crucial element in music production. The passion for playing primary musical instruments such as a guitar is precisely what fashioned the rise of most of the legendary rock artists in the 1960s and beyond (Burnard, 2016, p.28). In their article Haynes and Marshall, note that most people hardly understand the importance of playing a musical instrument. They further add that playing a musical instrument is imperative in the overall success of an artist as it brings out more untapped skills (Haynes & Marshall, 2018, p.460). Wikström notes that the playing of an instrument activates a different brain section when compared to other subjects (Wikström, 2013, p.141). Playing musical instruments triggers certain brain sections that "Regulate, hearing, motor skills, storing audio information and memory. Furthermore, being skilled at playing an instrument increases their attentiveness and emotional perceptions" (Kratus 2017, p.34).
However, despite its importance in the enhancement of creativity as well as other benefits, Wikström argues that more and more children today barely possess, the skills required to play a basis music instrument or have they ever tried playing any (Wikström, 2013, p.141). Throsby, notes that such is because the world today has undergone a significant shift that has pushed the arts away, terming it as a useless skill and in its place embracing subjects such as math and sciences as they are perceived as fundamental disciplines for the necessary functioning of the society (Throsby, 2002, p.55). The shift from the arts has created a space where the older generations can effectively play musical instruments whereas the newer generations are no longer passionate about the instruments and hardly recognize the role of these instruments in enhancing the quality of music.
Cohen and Nilsson argue that the school curriculum today is no longer attentive to the arts and creative subjects, where the music education is taught in a very academic way (Cohen, Bailey & Nilsson, 2002, p.89). Such means that as opposed to focusing on the practical aspects of music, the curriculum only fosters theoretical knowledge for advancement but not to teach the students on the importance of playing musical instruments. Furthermore, most of the music icons today find themselves into the music career without any formal training serving as a catalyst for the younger generation, who perceive the music industry as a field with no rules or specific requirements (Cohen, Bailey & Nilsson, 2002, p.89). The role and significance of musical instruments are thus failing to impact the younger generations, yet it offers an array of benefits in the overall development of a child. Throsby notes that playing of instruments is critical in boosting brain power (Throsby, 2002, p.55). The research echoes that children who learn to play instruments early in life, tend to have increased brain power which is evidenced in their ability to hear and process sounds more easily (Throsby, 2002, p.55). Playing of instruments thus aids in literacy which results in excellent academic results as it results in improved language development. Increases IQ, improves test scores, and boost brain connectivity. Such is to indicate that the younger the children are introduced to playing instruments is not only beneficial in the short-term but also in the long term. According to Burgess, playing an instrument result in mood improvements as it triggers feelings of happiness, excitement, and relief (Burgess, 2015, p.154).
Working musical instruments result in increased productivity and efficiency meaning that making music while paying close attention to the instruments results in mood-lifting benefits. Green, adds that "playing an instrument may result in reduced chronic stress and elevated moods" (Green, 2017, p. 12). In his article, Burnard, notes that playing an instrument while listening to music is vital as it helps to boost the memory which results in better cognitive skills (Burnard, 2016, p.31). Burgess, adds that the role of instruments into the music industry can thus not be undermined as it's crucial in the critical psychological and intellectual areas that cannot be achieved through the use of modern technological advancements (Burgess, 2015, p.150).
How Technological Advancements have impacted the Music Industry Today
Previous studies have attempted to establish the role of technological advancements in the music industry. The internet's rapid progression and relatively young age has resulted in unprecedented results in the music industry. A few academic papers have explored the role of computer technology influencing the incorporation of music instruments in today’s music industry. In his article, Sterne summed up the problem of the ICT into the field of music education, stating that since music performance is in its nature synchronous, then the incorporation of ICT is problematic at its best (Sterne 2014, p.1). Himonides further adds that computers have over the years replaced a good number of the electronic instruments to the extent that today the sounds produced are merely a cardboard cone vibrating. (Himonides, 2018, p.119). Although Sterne, notes that we are at an era where even the vocals in the pop music are computer manipulated Himonides, maintains that even the music producers themselves still recognize the worth in the investment of live instruments owing to their preferred sound of choice and quality (Himonides, 2018, p.119). In the previous centuries, a good number of the musical instruments lost ground to the gramophone, piano and even the radio, today, the existing technology combines all the roles of the previous inventions thus making the computer continue in the exact extant process. On the same note Sterne, argues the computer is not affecting the use of musical instruments in the music industry but rather the ability of more people to play the musical instruments (Sterne 2014, p.1).
Green argues that the decline in the use of musical instruments in the current generation is reflected even in the sales, wherein the last ten years guitar companies like Gibson have not been making any significant profits (Green, 2017, p. 12). Furthermore, it is sporadic to see a child curiously picking up an instrument such as a guitar and learning how to play it. When it comes to the music industry, the society today is dominated by favorite songs that run for just three minutes yet are nothing but a compilation of modified computer sounds (Green, 2017, p. 12). The once adored musical instruments such as the guitars and piano which were used to create magical sounds are slowly phasing at the expense of the modified computer sounds. The world's most popular renowned guitar and rock became prominent for their prominence on the guitars as evidenced by legends such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards (Green, 2017, p. 12). Unfortunately, the music industry today producing such talented musicians who will remain relevant for decades, but instead is focusing on one-hit wonders who will attract more profits to the music business. Therefore, the onset of the technological space is gradually creating a generational shift from the traditional music into one-hit wonders.
According to Flam, the invention of the Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI), has played a crucial role in minimizing the use of musical instruments in today’s music industry (Flam, 2011 p.191). Before the invention of the MIDI technology, once a musician wanted a trumpet sound on a track, then a trumpet player would have to be present in a studio during the recording session (Flam, 2011 p.191). However, today, that is no longer the case especially since songwriters have resorted to the use of music production software and other synthesizers. Flam thus maintains that the MIDI technology has been manipulated thus serving as the code behind the music, as it allows for electronic instruments to communicate while eliminating the need for actual musical instruments (Flam, 2011 p.191). Flam, however, points out that the MIDI technology is essential in music production both for the artist and the producers since it allows for the artists to explore their creative freedom while minimizing on the production costs (Flam, 2011 p.191).
Additionally, Beckstead, shares the same thoughts, as he notes that technology has made it possible for musicians today to do more with less owing to the rampant effects of music digitization (Beckstead, 2011 p.45). Lehman argues that before the age of the technological advancements, the only way sounds were produced was through the use of a full band in the studio (Lehman, 2002 p.416). Nevertheless, innovations like the digital audio workstations and loop machines have now enabled more talented artists to replicate the sounds that were once needed of an entire band. Airy and Parr maintain that music digitization has made it possible for smaller bands as well as solo artists to achieve the same results through the manipulation of existing music technologies thus making the recording process not only convenient but also profitable in the long run for the artists (Airy & Parr, 2011 p.49).
Aguiar and Martens, assert that new technologies have resulted in the creation of new sounds and innovative sampling techniques but at the same time have eliminated the need for large ensembles as it is perceived to be cumbersome traveling with a large rock band whereas technology has made it possible for artists to embrace new musical styles and sounds that are digitally produced as opposed to using extensive and expensive bands (Aguiar & Martens, 2016 p.27). Additionally, Webster notes the increased access to technology although it has resulted in the minimized use of musical instruments, it has made it possible for educators as well as producers to present many different instruments and sounds in a more synchronized manner (Webster, 2007 p1311). Therefore, the current music learners should comfortably integrate the use of the modern musical instruments into the traditional musical instruments as a means to understand how music revolution has taken place. Understanding the production of the different sounds today helps to produce better and professional artists in the future.
In summary, there have been different efforts to explore the impact of technology on the music industry, despite the synchronous nature of music performances. The literature review has presented different peer-reviewed articles that investigate the multiple ways in which technology has been integrated into the music industry. From the results by various scholars, it is clear that whereas the modern technology offers many possibilities for the music industry, there has been a thin line between the music industry and the music business, as the emphasis continuously shifts away from the aesthetic value of music to the brand and profits. Additionally, the results, make it clear that artists today are less concerned about learning a musical instrument as one of the factors that would contribute to their success in the music industry.
Chapter Three: Research Methodology
Introduction
The methodology section of the paper presents the research design, target population, sampling procedures, research instruments, and data collection. It also shows how data was collected and analyzed for presentation.
Research Design
The research aims to evaluate the need for a musical instrument in achieving success in today's music industry. The study employed the use of a descriptive research method and the research design utilized was a quantitative design. The purpose of employing quantitative research design in the study is to allow the researcher to evaluate the relationship significance that exists between the variables under study.
Population and Unit of Analysis
A population is the group of things or events that interest the researcher. Thus, in a study, it describes the particular events, people or things that are being investigated (Taylor, Bogdan, and DeVault, 2015). The population for this study was the various stakeholders of the music industry. Therefore, the population for the study encompassed; This study targeted individuals actively involved in the music industry ranging from famous artists, directors, music disseminators and the representing consumers of the music. The research was carried out in different locations like schools, music studios, and different tertiary institutions which offer music education as a subject. Responses were collected from the music students, some music directors, and the music facilitators. A total of five schools with a combined population of 1800 students were used, and at least 200 music education facilitators and directors were involved in the study. The study was done after receiving access from the school administrations to perform a survey among its population. The Unit of analysis were the perceptions that every participant had regarding the need for musical instruments in influencing the success of an individual in the music industry.
SAMPLING
Sampling refers to selecting the needed number of participants from the population. Sampling is done to increase an understanding of the population’s characteristics (Bryman, 2016). The study used probability sampling thus requests to participate in the study were sent to every member of the population. The research also employed a probability sampling method which enabled the researcher to ensure that every selected case was equal and known. The questionnaires were sent, and out of 2000, the responses provided were 650 which allowed for the intended threshold of 35 percent to be achieved as the rate of response.
Method of data collection
The research employed the use of questionnaires as its method of data collections. The survey was sent to the entire population. Additionally, the method was most preferred due it increasing a higher response rate in comparison to other alternative methods such as interviews (Bryman, 2016). Consequently, it was also easy, less time was used, and it allowed for a broader reach of the target population. The questionnaires were sent and three weeks was awarded to respond to the questionnaire. However, before beginning to respond, each participant was informed that the study was voluntary and anyone who wished to withdraw could do so at any time (Taylor, Bogdan, and DeVault, 2015). The participants were needed to mark on the box at the bottom of the cover page to indicate their willingness to be involved in the study. Participants anonymity was also emphasized, and all were informed that the data collected would be treated ethically and that the researcher was available to answer any question about the research.
Data Collection Instruments
Data for the study was collected through the use of self-administered questionnaires (Bryman, 2016). The surveys also entailed several questions regarding the research questions. The use of questionnaires as an instrument of data collection presents several advantages as well as disadvantages. The advantages are; questionnaires are less costly. Secondly, questionnaires were also electronic as they had been created via google forms.
Consequently, it also led to the use of a single URL that all the participants could use (Bryman, 2016). Questionnaires also provide the respondents with an adequate amount of time and the use of both open-ended and closed questionnaires provided for an accounting of additional valuable information. The disadvantages of using this instrument of data collection were that the participants could fail to respond and return the survey which makes it challenging to generalize a given sample.
Data Analysis
Data analysis was guided by the objectives and research questions in the study. After collecting the data, it was classified and coded in readiness for final analysis and extraction of emerging themes. Some responses from questionnaires were analyzed to allow for the making of findings regarding the study. Before the final presentation, both qualitative and quantitative data was classified and integrated, by use of summaries, qualitative content analysis, which worked for easier organization and synthesis and in line with the research objectives. Secondary data was also analyzed and weighed against the primary data collected (Taylor, Bogdan, and DeVault, 2015).
Assumptions and limitations
Several limitations, as well as assumptions, were identified while conducting the research. The first one entailed non-response bias which emanated from participants failure to respond to the study's survey. The result of the failure was that it could lead to that population representing the population that might lead to the development of an era (Bryman, 2016). Secondly, there was also the likelihood that those who responded were the ones that had the most reliable opinions regarding the subject matter which might have led to the presentation of misleading results. Lastly, the use of questionnaires could also result in the development of bias due to the order of questions influencing the response of the participants to the questions.
Chapter Four: Results and Discussion
The section entails the presentation of primary and secondary data. The data collected from the surveys showed that technological advancement has led to the minimal incorporation of musical instruments in today’s music industry. Additionally, it was also established that there are many individuals hold the notion that musical instruments do not contribute to success in today’s music industry. 88% of the respondents concurred that the internet today has taken over the majority of the roles that were traditionally performed by the musical instruments and hence investing in learning an instrument is not economical in the long run.
Additionally, at least 84% of all the music education facilitators and music directors agreed that musical instruments had had an enormous impact in tapping on quality sounds and tones that cannot precisely be replicated digitally. However, only 45% of the students acknowledged the importance and impact of the musical instruments in the music industry thus illustrating the generation gap and interest in musical instruments between the generations. Additionally, only 30% of the student respondents had mastered the art of playing at least one musical instruments, noting that the relevance on the computers for the production of different sounds served as a critical reason that turned the students off from taking an interest in the traditional musical instruments. An estimated 89% of the music education facilitators and music directors agreed that the impact of musical instruments in the music industry today has been so immense that it cannot be measured in figures. The directors and facilitators went ahead to note that any legendary music icon today has had a close interaction with either a guitar or a drum and that will never change in spite of the current technological changes. At least 68% of the music students also agreed that musical instruments add an essential contribution to the music industry and that most of their favorite rock artists played vital musical instruments in their performances.
The findings on the research question the lack of incorporation in today's music industry was that nearly 63% of the music facilitators and the music directors established that although technology had reduced the use of musical instruments in today’s music industry, they could not become obsolete. The reason was that musical instruments they predominantly serve as the foundation of the music industry. They noted that all legendary pop musicians and rock artists had an intimate relationship with specific musical instruments and hence the use of musical instruments is still viable due to the need for production of authentic sounds although computer systems can easily replicate similar sounds. In contrast, 77% of the music education students concurred that it is without a doubt that musical instruments use in the industry has been dramatically reduced as a result of the rise in the MIDI technology which can mimic all sounds produced by the traditional musical instruments.
The findings in regards to the question on the impact of computer technology on the music industry, 66% of the music facilitators and music directors’ respondents noted that the growing computer technology has resulted in the creation of several alternatives to the use of musical instruments. The remaining 34% of the respondents pointed out that advancement in computer technology has simplified the music production process, hence cutting on the costs incurred by the artists while using different auto-tuning sounds to perfect the artists’ sounds. Additionally, 74% of the music students agreed that computer technology has genuinely impacted the modern music industry to the extent that talent is no longer crucial to the achievement of success in the music industry. They noted that with the emergence of the different social media sites music production and distribution had been simplified creating more ease in reaching the target audience as opposed to how it was in the previous decades, where so much was demanded from the artists.
Discussion
Music is dynamic and hence every time society changes so does the music, as people acquire better ways of self-expression and airing their voice. In recent decades, technological advancements have paved the way for better recording technologies, better music technologies as well as new listening technologies hence significantly influencing the music industry (Beckstead, 2011 p.45). For example, in the past centuries, the only way to listen to music was by watching it or by listening to it live in person, nevertheless, technological advancements have inf
